Searching For a New Helmet

NinetyFour

NinetyFour

Active member
Whatup guys, looking for a new helmet. My current one is an old Giro that I got probably 9 or more years ago. I had a severe brain injury just over a year ago from a workplace accident; I'm fully recovered but moving forward I need to avoid head injuries again, and if I'm in a "high risk" sport like skiing than a solid brand new helmet is probably a great idea.

My preferences for a new helmet are:

-MIPS or some kind of rotational impact protection

-Adjustable fit

-Removable/no ear pads

-Can be worn over a balaclava and goggle strap

-Clean minimal styling

-Somewhat lightweight

I'd like to shop locally and try some on but unfortunately both of my what were local ski/board shops have stopped dealing snow gear in the past few seasons. That's basically left me with the sole option of Sport Chek, and they have very limited and cheap options. So I'm stuck with the internet, but I'll make it happen. If anything is horrendously off on fit/safety I'll make sure I end up with a good option in the end. Any input here is appreciated, thaaaaaaanks!
 
While it's not an obvious choice for most, the Count AMID helmet from Atomic is worth looking into.

The AMID technology is pretty rad, a dual density foam that is much better than just EPS foam and has MIPS qualities. It looks pretty darn good in person too.

Otherwise I'm always a fan of the Pret Cynic X for it's super low profile look and light weight. The Smith Code and Giro Emerge (as shown above) are also the next choices on my list.
 
picked up the Giro Jackson this season because I was looking for something similar. Great helmet so far. Vents well for a sweaty dude like me, is compatible with a lot of the larger-style goggle frames (I rock a SPY ACE and its practically seamless), great fit and liner adjustment dial in the back, able to wear either necktubes or facemasks underneath without any issues, and decently light.

I tried replacing my old POC helmet with something from their newer lines last season and got a Obex Spin helmet which im sorta torn on. Its a good helmet but fits weird and is really only compatible with POC frames and even the POC frames fit weird on the helmet. I dont know if i like their new MIPS-style adjustable liners in the helmets, they gave me some weird pressure points on the skull

**This post was edited on Dec 7th 2019 at 11:12:36am

**This post was edited on Dec 7th 2019 at 11:20:53am
 
Been rocking the Giro Shiv (skate/park style helmet) over the last 10 years -realized at this point the foam is likely toast and it was basically just a hat.

So I just bought a new Giro Ledge MIPS for this season and it’s pretty rad. Comfier, removable gog clip and ear pads for gogs under the helmet, and adjustable interior to size snug. Not as light as the last helmet but maybe that’s just the MIPS part?

Fits my smith squad xl’s way nicer than my old helmet did too.

**This post was edited on Dec 11th 2019 at 11:01:16am
 
Im going to get alot of hate for this but the Bern Watts MIPS helmet is amazing. I run a BS facemask, beanie, and goggles under it with no problems. MIPS protection saves lives and has definitely saved my ass from concussions or head injuries multiple times. I think I got mine for 60-70 bucks which makes it a perfect pricepoint for a MIPS helmet too. Plus the small visor fits over tons of goggles so you dont get snow/rain buildup on them on wet days.
 
14087335:Zypher said:
Im going to get alot of hate for this but the Bern Watts MIPS helmet is amazing. I run a BS facemask, beanie, and goggles under it with no problems. MIPS protection saves lives and has definitely saved my ass from concussions or head injuries multiple times. I think I got mine for 60-70 bucks which makes it a perfect pricepoint for a MIPS helmet too. Plus the small visor fits over tons of goggles so you dont get snow/rain buildup on them on wet days.
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I can just never get behind Bern again after the mass amounts of helmets I had to warranty for the few year my shop carried them. Such a pain
 
14087340:.nasty said:
I can just never get behind Bern again after the mass amounts of helmets I had to warranty for the few year my shop carried them. Such a pain
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Yeah, I know alot of people hate on bern for defects and durability but as a broke ass, cant beat the pricing. Ive owned 3 bern helmets (2 baker eps and 1 watts eps) before I got this one. They weren't that great tbh, good fit and looks but took a beating too easy. I was super wary of buying the Watts Mips in fear of it being like the others but I was surprised to see this one hold up so well though. Also just haven't found another helmet that fits me as good, i get deals through work on alot of ski companies (Bern not included) but I may just end up buying a few of these on sale an riding out a few seasons on the Watts MIPS helmets.
 
14087348:Zypher said:
Yeah, I know alot of people hate on bern for defects and durability but as a broke ass, cant beat the pricing. Ive owned 3 bern helmets (2 baker eps and 1 watts eps) before I got this one. They weren't that great tbh, good fit and looks but took a beating too easy. I was super wary of buying the Watts Mips in fear of it being like the others but I was surprised to see this one hold up so well though. Also just haven't found another helmet that fits me as good, i get deals through work on alot of ski companies (Bern not included) but I may just end up buying a few of these on sale an riding out a few seasons on the Watts MIPS helmets.
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if the shoe fits... wear it! haha
 
14087340:.nasty said:
I can just never get behind Bern again after the mass amounts of helmets I had to warranty for the few year my shop carried them. Such a pain
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Really? Hmm.. I guess I’ve never had that issue.. any my helmet has done me well for a good 5 or 6 seasons and still fits me perfectly so..
 
14087378:DingoSean said:
Really? Hmm.. I guess I’ve never had that issue.. any my helmet has done me well for a good 5 or 6 seasons and still fits me perfectly so..
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always at least one diamond in the rough
 
14087335:Zypher said:
Im going to get alot of hate for this but the Bern Watts MIPS helmet is amazing. I run a BS facemask, beanie, and goggles under it with no problems. MIPS protection saves lives and has definitely saved my ass from concussions or head injuries multiple times. I think I got mine for 60-70 bucks which makes it a perfect pricepoint for a MIPS helmet too. Plus the small visor fits over tons of goggles so you dont get snow/rain buildup on them on wet days.
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does it have a tiwsty tightening thing?
 
14087521:Zypher said:
Nah, you can get those but mine has no pads in it for beanie/goggle under
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want a helmet with twisty that doesnt need ears and isnt ridiulously expesive, why is it so hard to find? almsot every bike helmet has it now
 
14087523:BayAreaJerry said:
want a helmet with twisty that doesnt need ears and isnt ridiulously expesive, why is it so hard to find? almsot every bike helmet has it now
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Prett helmets baby, got the twisty thing and doesn't need ear pads. Idk on pricing though
 
14087525:Zypher said:
Prett helmets baby, got the twisty thing and doesn't need ear pads. Idk on pricing though
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i 2nd this one, i rock the cynic x without ear pads and goggles underneath with a beanie, looks nice, has mips, its lightweight, pret makes quality helmets
 
14086563:BayAreaJerry said:
I hate my giro ledge. tight with a beanie loose without. can feel it moving up my forhead when I'm in the air
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I don’t know if you’ve already tried, but there are tabs on the left and right side around the liner that you can loosen/tighten. Mine fits fine with just a balaclava, but not well with a balaclava and beanie. I can still do goggles under though.
 
Smith Maze MIPS is a great helmet, best fit with beanie goggle underneath. I can't get the code to work as much as I would like
 
14087521:Zypher said:
Nah, you can get those but mine has no pads in it for beanie/goggle under
Click to expand...

i'm on my second Ledge, never had a problem with my first one fitting over my balaclava and goggle strap but when it got worn out ,I got one, almost by mistake. with a twisty and rate having the bit of adjustment.

You can adjust the back of the helmet bit in the non twisty one by moving the arms on the snappers at the sides, maybe thats whats off.
 
Ended up with a Giro Ledge. Haven't rode with it yet (hoping to get out next Saturday) but it meets all of my criteria and fits great with a balaclava and goggle strap inside and out. The quality of newer helmets is waaay above and beyond what my old one (Giro Revolver) was. That was just hard foam, with a hook and loop liner to attach different sized foam pieces to grip your head. The elastic part and MIPS liner of the Ledge are massively kick ass in comparison.

Thanks chiefs!
 
Steep and cheap has a couple of sweet protection helmets on sale for around $100. They’re super well built can’t say I’ve owned one but had to return one due to sizing issues.
 
Giro is legit OP. Pretty sure they saved my life in a bike crash back in the day. Other companies make legit helmets too but Giro fits me and it does the job. Just get the one you like to wear the most that meets the current safety ratings since the key is to wear it
 
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